Appendix 2: Instructions for the Candidate’s Computer

Approved 8.5.2026, published 19.5.2026

Each candidate taking a digital matriculation examination test requires a personal computer for the duration of the test. The test is completed on this computer. The computer must have installed either the version of the Abitti candidate application or the Abitti candidate drive specified by the general upper secondary school. The candidate is responsible for ensuring that, when arriving at the test session, they have a functioning computer that complies with the regulations.

Main memory (RAM)At least 8 GB or more, from which the graphics adapter may use the required portion.
DisplayThe computer display must have a resolution of at least 1360 × 768.
The display size must be less than 18 inches. Larger displays may be used only as a special arrangement granted by the Board. One display per candidate.
BatteryA functioning battery is recommended in case of interruptions to the power supply.
Network

The general upper secondary school organising the matriculation examination may build the examination network using wired Ethernet or WLAN technology. The candidate’s computer must be capable of being connected to the examination network using the technology chosen by the organising school.

Most general upper secondary schools use a wired network in the matriculation examination. For this reason, it is advisable that the computer used in the examination has an Ethernet interface.

It is also advisable that the computer has a WLAN network adapter for use in studies and course exams.

Both wired Ethernet and WLAN network adapters may be external peripheral devices.

HeadphonesThe candidate’s computer must be equipped with headphones. The headphones must not allow wireless data transmission (e.g. Bluetooth).
Peripheral devices and their connection

Peripheral devices required in the test, such as a separate keyboard, a mouse or other similar pointing device (e.g. a graphics tablet), may be connected to the computer.

If necessary, a USB hub without an external power supply may be used, as well as other similar adapters (e.g. USB‑C to USB 3).

Peripheral devices connected to the computer must not

  • use or enable radio communication (e.g. Bluetooth)
  • contain material unrelated to the test
  • enable communication outside the computer.

During the test, a candidate application is used on the candidate’s computer. The general upper secondary school informs the candidates of the versions of the candidate application to be used in the examination round. The versions are also available on the Matriculation Examination Board’s website. The Board publishes the version information approximately one month before the first test day of the examination round.

The candidate’s computer must use one of the candidate applications listed below.

The computer runs the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version of ChromeOS, or a later version, centrally managed by the education provider/general upper secondary school. The Abitti candidate application and the other settings specified in the Board’s technical instructions are applied to the device through centralised management.

The Matriculation Examination cannot be taken on a ChromeOS device managed by the candidate.

The computer must meet the following requirements:

  • macOS version 26.1 or later as the operating system
  • an Apple Silicon processor (any of the Apple Silicon variants)

The computer must meet the following requirements:

  • Windows 11 version 24H2 or later as the operating system, one of the following editions: Home, Pro, Pro Education, Enterprise or Education
  • a 64-bit x86 processor with at least two cores
  • a TPM 2.0 security chip

The Abitti 2 candidate drive is a Linux‑based test environment written to a USB flash drive or the computer’s internal mass storage. The candidate’s computer must be booted so that the BIOS/UEFI boot environment runs the operating system from the candidate drive directly, without intermediary layers (e.g. virtualisation).

Well in advance of the test session, the candidate must verify the compatibility of the computer they use with the Abitti 2 candidate drive by testing it. The candidate is responsible for ensuring that the computer boots successfully.

The computer must meet the following requirements:

  • a 64-bit x86 processor with at least two cores
  • the capability to boot the Abitti 2 candidate drive from a USB 3 flash drive or from the computer’s internal mass storage

The Board’s regulations and guidelines have been revised in connection with the introduction of Abitti 2.